RECENT NEWS

Director, Energy Systems at ECF, Dries Acke, presents the modelling

CR assisted in the launch of the European Climate Foundation's latest report "Towards Fossil Free Energy in 2050", in March 2019. The report, based on new modelling by Element Energy and Cambridge Econometrics, examines 6 different configurations of an integrated, Zero-Carbon energy system (road transport, heat and power) for 2050.

You can read more about the report on EurActiv, here. You can download the full report here.

The French Carbon Tax and the Gilet Jaunes

France’s experience should give pause for thought. Could a rethink be needed on how fiscal policy is used to support green aims? And to what extent has environmental policy been set back after the arrival of the Gilet Jaunes?

Read the rest of Alasdair MacEwen's article on Esharp! magazine here or on Medium here.

Four things the EU should do to strengthen climate action before this mandate ends

EU institutions still have time for a series of concrete actions to strengthen climate policy before their mandate ends and get their successors off to a flying start, write Sanjeev Kumar and Edward Robinson.

How are we doing on a Green New Deal?

As the IPCC publishes its new report on global warming of 1.5 degrees, Edward Robinson takes a political and economic stock-take.Is the massive mobilisation of human and financial resources needed to cap global warming finally underway, and can coordinated capitalism really save us?You can read the full article on openDemocracy.

'Climate action was just too little and too slow for Hulot': What was behind his shock resignation?

You can read the Culmer Raphael full article either in Business Green here or in Medium here.

The Treasury, sustainability, green finance and long-term decision making

How does the UK government's economic and financial department consider sustainability when making decisions? Is the Treasury changing the way it thinks about this area? Alasdair MacEwen gives an assessment for Business Green here. (No subscription is required to read the article)

​No one should underestimate President Macron's determination to modernise France, but farmers are one of the most difficult groups to deal with. They may be only three per cent of the population, but they have considerable public sympathy. British farmers have resorted to direct action from time to time, but if they blockaded roads as often as the French do, public opinion would soon turn against them.I am no expert on France, but it does seem to me that food is absolutely integral to the national culture. Apart from perhaps Italy, there is no country where I can eat so well so consistently at reasonable prices.I also happened to be up in the mountains the year before last when transhumance was taking place and this gave me some idea of how important farming is culturally in France. Britain is a much more urbanised nation in outlook.Emmanuel Macron endured jeers and whistles on his first visit as president to France’s largest agricultural fair amid growing tension between his government and the country’s farmers, although earlier in the week 700 farmers had been invited to the Elysée Palace in a charm offensive. Mr Macron was confronted by hostile crowds on Saturday as he toured the showground in southern Paris, underlining the difficulties he faces in winning over France’s powerful agricultural lobby, which has been angered by EU trade talks and Chinese land purchases. Last year the acquisition of 900 hectares of farmland in Allier and 1,700 hectares in Indre by Chinese investors caused alarm.In a tense exchange with a farmer over a weed-killer which the government has said it will ban, a visibly angry Mr Macron said he would find solutions for farmers who were unable to replace glyphosate, which is claimed to be carcinogenic. The Salon de l’Agriculture traditionally brings France’s political class into close, and often confrontational, contact with the country’s farmers. Last year, Mr Macron was hit by an egg when he visited as presidential candidate.Macron wants farmers to move away from an over reliance on EU subsidies and to move towards less intensive production methods. He has said that he will curb the forces of globalisation represented by Chinese land purchases. But he recognises that the EU will not have as much money for farm subsidies when Britain leaves, reducing net income by about eight per cent or some €15bn. (Sometimes I wonder if it might have been in the EU's interest to offer David Cameron a little more).CAP is being eyed by Mr Macron as a French 'taboo' that needs to be revamped. 'We have come to this paradoxical situation in which the CAP has become a French taboo while our farmers continue to criticise the way it works', Mr Macron said in a speech at the Sorbonne last September.Macron is prepared to pump in €5bn to help farmers to switch to environmentally friendly methods, find successors for their land and bring on a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. He wants 22 per cent of farmland to be managed organically by 2022, compared with 6.5 per cent today (ambitious in my view). He is also going to fund much needed early retirements. What he didn't seem to have much to say about were the efficient, competitive grain farmers in the Paris Basin.As someone who has been wary of France and the French, my attitude is I admit paradoxical. I don't like their arrogance and elitism, but I would also admit their ​étatisme has brought some remarkable achievements. In a way I think they are most effective when they are assertive, which is why I like Macron and wish him well. But he has a tough task with the farmers.

Professor Wyn Grant is an expert on political economy and the EU Common Agricultural Policy. He is also a Culmer Raphael Associate. Please see more blogposts on agricultural policy on Wyn Grant's site, Common Agricultural Policy: http://commonagpolicy.blogspot.co.uk

CR director Edward Robinson chairs a discussion on the report's findings with representatives from Ørsted, DG Energy, WWF, Solar Power Europe and REstore

Culmer Raphael is pleased to have been involved with the development and launch of the latest research from the Energy Union Choices group, which is convened by the European Climate Foundation and includes experts from its members: Agora, the Regulatory Assistance Project, E3G, the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) and WWF.

The latest report, Cleaner Smarter, Cheaper, updates the outlook for renewable electricity in the the EU, finding that the lowest cost pathway for the EU will be to deploy over 61% RES by 2030 - much higher than the Commission's current suggested figure of 49%. At the same time the report sees gas generation falling in the EU to half its current level and urges the "smart retirement" of coal from EU power networks.

The report was launched at an event attended by the Vice President for the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, and other expert stakeholders, at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels on 21 November 2017. You can download full details of the report here and read coverage of the report's main findings in EurActiv.

CR Analysis - A pathway to net-zero carbon emissions for the UK, by 2050

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Click on image to download report

Culmer Raphael and partners Iken Associates have produced an independent report commissioned by the Liberal Democrats on how the UK could become a net-zero emitter of greenhouse gases by 2050. The Liberal Democrats made a manifesto pledge to reach this goal by 2050. The report, compiled after nine months of research and in-depth interviews and roundtables with experts, reviews existing evidence on how to meet this target and explores if, when and how it could be achieved.

To read the report - published at the Liberal Democrats' 2017 autumn conference - and its conclusions in full,click here. You can also read the Summary Report by clicking here.

​Mayor of London launches a draft environment strategy for London

On 11 August, the Mayor of London launched a draft London Environment Strategy for public consultation, which would commit London to ambitious plans to combat and adapt to the effects of climate change. The strategy forms a major part of plans to refresh the overall ‘London Plan’ under the new mayoralty and to re-orientate London’s strategic planning policy.​ The deadline for responses to the strategy is 17 November 2017 and a finalised Environment Strategy for London is expected in 2018.

To see the full array of documents related to the plan, including the plan in full and the series of impacted assessments that go alongside it, click here. For assistance in preparing your submission, get in touch.

Brexit and the impact on the rail industry

Left to right: David Moore of Dentons, Alasdair MacEwen of Culmer Raphael and Paul Plummer, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group

Culmer Raphael has taken part in a Brexit event organised by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) in London. The event - attended by DEXEU, DfT and senior representatives of the rail industry (including Network Rail, the Rail Supply Group and Rail Freight Group) - explored the impact of Brexit on the industry as a whole. It included discussion around potential loss of influence over European rail, access to a skilled workforce, ensuring continuity and influence over technical standards and continued access to passenger and freight services in the rest of the EU. Please contact us if you wish more information about the event and the RDG’s work.

Can Hulot deliver for France's green economy?

Culmer Raphael profiles France's new energy and environment minister for Business Green.

Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament

​The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has asked the UK government to commit to introducing a new Environmental Protection Bill before the triggering of Article 50. Such a Bill would transpose, strengthen or protect environmental regulation in the UK, 80 per cent of which is estimated to be founded in EU law. MPs on the committee - chaired by Labour’s Mary Creagh and including nine Conservatives - want the government to ensure that the UK has an “equivalent or better level of environmental protection as the EU”.

You can read the rest of this short article and dowload the full report on the CR blog here.

CR Analysis - EU policy concerns around the Trump presidency

We give some brief thoughts on some of the issues the European Union will be concerned with around the Trump presidency here.

CR Analysis - EU trade agreements after CETA

Following the signing of CETA, Culmer Raphael provides a short ﻿briefing﻿on the implications for future EU trade deals.

CR Analysis - What does the repeal of the European Communites Act mean?

What does the UK government's plan to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 mean? CR associate Penelope Nevill gives us her view on the significance and relevance of the proposal ﻿here.﻿

Implications for Welsh agriculture on leaving the EU

Professor Wyn Grant - Culmer Raphael Associate and expert on EU agricultural policy - has given evidence to the National Assembly for Wales on the implications for Welsh agriculture on leaving the EU. He comments that “how far Wales can pursue a differentiated policy after Brexit that is sensitive to Welsh needs and priorities depends in large part on funding arrangements”. He adds that for the protection of farmers’ incomes “one thing that is crucial is that in any interim agreement with the EU we don’t have any tariff barriers applied to exports from Wales - that would be particularly devastating for the sheep meat sector” and that, even if gradually reduced, basic payments for farmers would have to be continued “in some form or another” as “if they were suddenly terminated the effect on the sector would be catastrophic”. To watch the evidence session, click here. Professor Grant’s submission to the Assembly can be found here.

CR Analysis - What does Brexit mean for UK security?

Culmer Raphael Associate Professor Malcolm Anderson gives the Government Gazette his analysis of the security implications for the UK and the EU27 here.

CR Analysis - Q&A on France, terrorism and security policy

What has been the reaction of the French government to the recent spate of terrorist attacks and what has been the impact on France's politcal climate? CR associate Professor Malcolm Anderson gives his assessment here.

Additional Support to Organisations following Brexit vote

Following the UK's vote to leave the European Union and the formation of a new government in the UK under Theresa May, Culmer Raphael has set up a new service to help organisations anticipate and respond to any changes affecting them. Our position as a UK and EU political consultancy puts us in a strong position to assist organisations both with strategic analysis and with representation both in London and Brussels. More information about our Brexit service can be found here.​Please email info@culmerraphael.eu for specific requests.

Culmer Raphael is very grateful to Pier Antonio Panzeri MEP and the European Parliament's Maghreb Delegation for helping us to host a unique event at the European Parliament on Wednesday 29 June 2016: the screening of Yazid Tizi and Yann Arthus Bertrand's spectacular documentary-film <<L'Algérie Vue du Ciel>>.

CR Analysis - EU Extended Producer Responsibility rules

As MEPs on the European Parliament's Environment (ENVI) Committee get ready to consider Socialist rapporteur Simona Bonafè's report on the amendments to the Waste Framework Directive, CR's Edward Robinson looks at the recent history of Extended Producer Responsibility in EU environmental law. He argues that updating the EU's proposals is crucial to securing a European circular economy. You can read the full article on BusinessGreen. If you are not a subscriber to BusinessGreen you can read a version of the article on the CR blog, here.

Brexit contingency - FT reports that few businesses are prepared for EU exit

The Financial Times has reported that many companies have not made adequate preparation for British exit from the European Union, despite the result going down to the wire. Read the article here. For more information around contingency, contact us.

CR Analysis - UK Security and Brexit

CR associate Malcolm Anderson, Emeritus Professor of Politics at Edinburgh University and an expert on Schengen and cross border policing cooperation, gives his assessment of the debate around UK security and Brexit. Read his briefing ﻿﻿﻿﻿here﻿﻿﻿.﻿

CR Analysis - Challenges and opportunities in Algeria

Two weeks before the EU's, energy-sector, Business Forum in Algiers, held in conjunction with the Algerian government, Culmer Raphael director, Edward Robinson, looks at the political and economic challenges and opportunities facing the Algerian economy. The third largest exporter of gas to the EU is aiming to move away from reliance on fossil fuel exports and to attract more foreign investment. You can read the article on the FT's beyondbrics blog.

CR Analysis - Professional Sport and Brexit

﻿﻿﻿﻿What would be the consequences of a British exit from the EU for British professional sport? CR director Alasdair MacEwen surveys some of the arguments in his briefing note, which you can download here.

CR Analysis - The Common Agricultural Policy and Brexit

Wyn Grant, Emeritus Professor of Politics at Warwick University and a Culmer Raphael Associate, gives a summary of the Common Agricultural Policy and the implications of Brexit for British farmers for the independent research initiative, UK in a Changing Europe. Read his analysis here.

CR Analysis - UK Media Coverage of EU Policy

Culmer Raphael director, Edward Robinson, examines how the often misleading coverage of EU policy in the UK poses a problem, especially in the run up to a referendum. He examines the case of the ecodesign directive in particular. You can read the full article on PR Week.

CR Analysis - The EU and Sustainable Development

In the context of the UK's referendum on continued EU membership, Culmer Raphael director Edward Robinson surveys the two flagship EU policies on sustainable development and green growth: the reform of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the EU Circular Economy package. You can read the article on the Fabian Review.

CR Briefing - The 2016 London Mayoral Election

Thursday 5th May 2016 sees several important local elections around the UK, one of which will be the election of a new Mayor of London to replace the Conservative Boris Johnson who is stepping down after two four-year terms.

Seven candidates have already declared but the race is between the Conservative candidate, Zac Goldsmith MP, and the Labour candidate, Sadiq Khan MP. Recent opinion polls have put Khan in the lead by as many as 10 points, although this may narrow.

Both leading candidates have published initial plans and in this briefing note we look at some of the headline policies they’ve announced. You can download the note here.

CR Briefing - UK Parliament - Ongoing Select Committee inquires

As the new calendar year begins, select committees in the UK parliament, in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, continue to scrutinise British government policy on sustainable development, energy, environment, business, economics, transport, foreign affairs and - of course - the UK's relationship with the EU.

CR Briefing - The Outcomes of COP21

On Saturday 12th December 2015, 195 countries agreed to a new global strategy to stop climate change. You can read our summary of the agreement﻿here﻿. For our brief analysis of its significance, click here.

Following the publication of the new Circular Economy proposals, we can expect a series of disagreements between MEPs and Council and Commission officials as legislative scrutiny gets under way in 2016. You can read the full article by Edward Robinson in The Guardian.

CR BRIEFING - The EU Circular Economy Package

On Wednesday 2nd December, the Commission adopted its full proposals on the Circular Economy package. Although the response from MEPs and NGOs has been mixed, there is clearly a long way to go as the package makes it way to the ENVI Committee in the European Parliament. The amendments to four directives, headline 2030 targets for municipal waste, landfill and food-waste, as well as plans to extend the Eco-design Directive to cover circular economy criteria are likely to be the focus in 2016. You can read our 1 page briefing note here.

CR Briefing - The State of the EU Energy Union

On Wednesday 18th November, Maroš Šefčovič (the Vice-President responsible for the Energy Union) presented the first ever State of the Energy Union report to the College of Commissioners and took questions from the media in the Berlaymont press room. You can download our 1 page summary of the statement here.

CR Briefing - The European Commission's 2016 Work Programme

On Tuesday 27th October the Juncker Commission presented its second annual "To Do list" to the European Parliament. You can download our 1 page summary of the main legislative items here.

Our seminar in the Brussels Press Club on 21 October 2015 saw a range of experts, including the senior adviser to the EU Energy Commissioner , Issac Valero-Ladron, discuss the prospects for enhanced EU cooperation on energy security with Algeria and the plans for greater cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Nick Butler covered the main challenges facing Algeria and the EU in his FT blog here.